Archive for nutrition

Are your joints feeling a little stiff? Not moving with the easy fluidity you had in the past? Is it difficult to squat or run, or to simply toss a ball or pick up a child? You’re not alone. Studies indicate between 50 to 75 million people now suffer from painful swollen joints — and the number is increasing.

It’s not that we don’t expect bouts with pain. Accidents and illness occur every day. It’s an obstacle course called ”Life.” Unfortunately, swollen joints are no longer unusual. And that kind of inflammation is associated with several types of disease: gout, fibromyalgia, lupus, and, of course, arthritis. In particular, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are two of the most damaging. An autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) inflames joints throughout the body. Osteoarthritis (OA) is specifically a physical condition resulting from the wear and tear on the joints. It’s literally a degenerative disease. Because everyone uses every joint every day, this has become the most common reason for swollen joints. It’s an aspect of aging that many can’t escape!

Texas Spine & Wellness understands joint pain treatment and is focused on helping clients achieve, if not a pain-free life, a manageable level that allows a more normal mobility. It can be done with a program of proper diet, exercise, and supplements. We recommend Great Lakes Collagen Hydrolysate because we’ve found it delivers the best results to ease joint pain and discomfort.

Let’s look more closely at joint pain and at collagen supplements when taken to reduce inflammation.

How does arthritis attack the joints?

Some researchers suggest arthritis may result from a “confusion” that occurs in the immune system after the body has suffered an infection due to a bacteria or virus. The immune system suddenly begins to attack joints, an attack that can expand to other parts of the body. OA can flare up when an affected joint is injured or suffers some trauma. However, because RA is degenerative and associated with the immune system, only immune system changes can result in a flare-up.

As to why joints swell, there are two causes: the joint lining itself swells, or the amount of fluid in the joint increases. Swelling is a very active process. As white blood cells (also called inflammatory cells) and blood enter the joint, proteins are discharged into the soft tissues surrounding the area between the joints and the bones. Proteins are actually inflammatory molecules. Of course, that additional blood flow swells the joint and—doing what blood is intended to do—adds warmth. All those inflammatory materials increase the collection of fluids in and around the joint, and the swelling also increases. Initial swelling encourages more swelling. It’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy! The end result is damaged bone and cartilage.

How is life affected?

If you have, or have had, inflamed joints, you well know mornings are the worst time for stiffness. You’ve been in bed all night and when you try to bounce up out of bed—wow! You feel like a mannequin. If the stiffness lasts more than an hour, it’s likely inflammatory arthritis. Along with the stiffness is a dull ache you can’t shake, although, thankfully, not all stiffness is accompanied by pain. If you’re stiff after exercising, it’s more likely OA, which indicates the joints are beginning to fail. But you can also feel stiff after resting, such as when you sit after walking or sit just to relax after a long day. It takes some of the pleasure out of simple relaxation. An analogy often used to describe how stiffening joints feel, is to say the sensation is like gelatin setting, a process of gradual firming.

It’s an unpleasant condition for anyone, especially because it can affect any joint in your body: shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. Even the jaw can be affected. It affects how you move, how you feel, and your mood. After all, how can you be upbeat when your mobility is limited and, in many cases, you ache as well?

Collagen: what is it and how can it help?

Collagen is a protein that makes up about a quarter of our body mass, which means It’s the most abundant protein within our bodies. It’s also the major component of our connective tissues, a part of the structure in our skin and bones, our hair and nails, and our tendons and ligaments. There’s a singular amino acid blend in collagen that contributes to joint health, muscle growth, and the glow that comes when we feel relatively healthy.

Nutritional supplements made from collagen are derived from animal materials such as beef, pork, or fish bones and skin. It’s processed to make digestion easier. All those amino acids of which it’s comprised are instrumental in building joint cartilage, and it’s believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. By stimulating the production of joint collagen, Collagen Hydrolysate supplements can ease OA symptoms. And collagen is generally well tolerated, with no major side-effects.

Which brings us to Great Lakes Hydrolyzed Collagen protein powder or gelatin supplement and why Texas Spine & Wellness recommends it as your best selection to bring relief to swollen joints. Beef hydrolyzed collagen combines a unique assemblage of 20 amino acids, concentrated in high enough levels to not only promote bone healing, but to provide joint care beyond what other proteins have to offer. It’s designed with a low molecular weight so digestion is easy, and, because of the hydrolization, assimilation is fast, with better hydration in connective tissues. Enrichment of the body’s proteins begins within minutes after taking it.

There are many additional benefits from collagen. Nitrogen balance is one. Nitrogen is believed to be an anti-aging product that supports collagen loss and damage to cartilage that comes with aging. It’s good for all those parts mentioned above: skin, hair, and nails on the outside, and bones, tendons and ligaments on the inside.

We guarantee the quality of this product, which is produced under very strict sanitary conditions, meeting standards established by the U.S. Pharmacopeia. The National Formulary regulates the Pharmacopeia. Having been rigorously tested for pH, strength, moisture and viscosity, Great Lakes Collagen Hydrolysate can be immediately introduced into various recipes to provide that needed collagen boost

Don’t let stiff joints change your life!

Aching joints and stiffness are often unavoidable due to aging, illness, or injury. But it’s not a condition you have to live with. You do have choices! A selective diet and the right exercise suited to your age and overall condition are the first steps toward healthier joints. The next step is a supplement created purposefully to attack the issue, such as Great Lakes Collagen Hydrolysate. If you would like to purchase a can for yourself you can purchase it here. The big step after that? Set up regular checkups with your primary doctor and chiropractor, and follow their advice for a healthy life style plan. As a chiropractor in Garland, TX , Dr. Mixon specializes in the treatment of joint pain.

Healthy joints are necessary for a comfortable but active life. Visit Texas Spine & Wellness. We want to help you achieve and maintain the healthy joints you were born with!

It was about a month ago that Dr. Mixon talked me into buying a jar of collagen hydrolysate, a form of gelatin. And I do mean, talked me into it. He told me it should help my joint pain.

Truthfully, I’m not much on taking supplements. I tend to buy something then put it into a cabinet and forget about it. But I promised him I would try it, so as instructed, I poured a tablespoon of the powder into my coffee every morning and the same amount into a cup of herbal tea at night. I’d been doing this for about three weeks when I noticed that my hips weren’t as achy.

Now that’s a big deal. It’s the main reason I’d been scheduling bi-monthly appointments with my chiropractor.

So on my next visit I told the office manager I was sold and asked her to pack up another canister! While I was in the office I shared my experience with a few other patients. (Picture me, one hand in the air, a can of this amazing product thrust skyward, yelling “Eureka”. )

Well, maybe I wasn’t quite that dramatic, but after reading up on the product, I really do feel like I’ve found the fountain of youth. Here’s why:

5 Ways Collagen Hydrolysate Can Transform Your Health

Collagen improves skin health by stimulating cell growth to reduce the sagging and wrinkling that comes through normal aging and UV exposure.

Increased energy and sense of well-being, along with amplified alertness, improved concentration, balanced mood, and even a better night’s sleep.

Long-term use of hydrolyzed collagen can make hair shiny and strong and improve your nail growth

Gelatin in the form of collagen hydrolysate can help heal a“leaky gut”.

Five great reasons to begin taking collagen hydrolysate as soon as possible, right? “But wait, there’s more!” as they say.

Collagen Hydrolysate is a form of gelatin that is designed to dissolve without gelling. Meaning, it’s simple to take, easily digested and is absorbed by the body in about 30 minutes. You get about 10 grams of protein from two tablespoons, making it a great source of added nutrition.

Amino acids — the key to collagen hydrolysate’s healing power

Great Lakes Collagen Hydrolysate is unique in its amino acid structure. It contains generous amounts of the amino acids glycine, lysine and proline. These amino acids are also found in other protein food supplements, but in lower quantities. Amino acids are smaller than proteins, and are essential to the body’s cells.

Unfortunately, as we get older, our bodies no longer produce the proteins we need in the same quantities as when we were younger. Time, lifestyle, injury, etc., all play a part in our increased need for protein and certain amino acids.

Collectively, all three amino acids aid in cell reproduction, which, in turn, reduces joint pain and promotes all the other benefits outlined in the earlier bullets.

Let’s take a look at each amino acid individually to better understand their contribution to the product as a whole.

Glycine

Glycine has been used to treat schizophrenia (along with other conventional medications) as it is involved in the transmission of chemical signals in the brain.

For the average person, the calming effect of glycine will improve alertness and concentration, balance mood, elevate energy, increase your sense of well-being and help you get a better night’s sleep!

Glycine also assets the liver in handling foreign, toxic substances, like chemicals, alcohol or tobacco.

Some researchers believe glycine may also play a role in cancer prevention, because it seems to interfere with the blood supply that certain tumors require in order to thrive.

Lysine

Lysine is an essential amino acid, because it cannot be produced by the human body. It must be consumed through either foods, such as eggs, meats (specifically red meats), soy, beans and peas, cheese (particularly Parmesan), and certain fish (like cod and sardines), or by supplements.

Lysine helps to increase intestinal absorption of calcium. It also helps to eliminate the excretion of calcium through the kidneys, suggesting it may be helpful to people suffering from osteoporosis.

Lysine is also being investigated for its effects on increasing muscle mass, lowering glucose levels, and improving anxiety. Some reports indicate lysine might even reduce the discomfort and pain associated with angina.

Proline

Proline is a necessary amino acid for the production of cartilage. It helps keep muscles and joints flexible. It’s also essential to the development and maintenance of healthy skin and connective tissue. Most noticeably it wards off skin wrinkling.

Proline and lysine together are two of the amino acids that help to form collagen and hyaluronic acid, which contribute to cartilage production and helps to cushion the body’s joints. There’s evidence that proline may provide benefit in the treatment of osteoporosis, persistent soft tissue strains, and chronic back pain.

Proline is also necessary to maintain muscle tissue, which is especially true for endurance runners and joggers or anyone who follows prolonged exercise programs.

People recovering from traumatic injuries, such as severe burns, or who have pain caused by cartilage loss may want to supplement with this amino acid.

To sum up

Great Lake Collagen Hydrolysate is light years away from the packages of gelatin you find in your local grocery or drug store. This gelatin is pharmaceutical grade, comes from pasture-raised beef, is odorless and dissolves easily.

Just by adding a rounded tablespoon twice a day to a cup of coffee or tea, or a glass of juice, you’ll be well on your way to rebuilding weakened cartilage, improving sagging and wrinkling skin, bolstering hair growth and texture, and increasing your energy. If you’re like me, you’ll also feel less joint pain.

Today I’ve added my collagen hydrolysate to my morning glass of orange juice. Right now I’m raising my glass in a toast that I hope you’ll share with me, “Here’s to years of good health and happiness for all our family and friends.”

During a patient’s routine yearly physical, many doctors now include a lab test which screens for a Vitamin D Deficiency. If your doctor finds your Vitamin D levels are low, there’s a good chance he or she will recommend a Vitamin D supplement. Before you decide to ignore your doctor’s advice, you should know there’s a good reason Vitamin D has been getting so much attention recently.

Vitamin D Benefits

Vitamin D:

Helps control how much calcium is absorbed from food

Boosts the immune system

Helps protect our bodies against radiation damage

It may also:

Protect against heart disease

Provide added protection against developing cancer

Decrease the frequency and severity of asthma attacks

Help maintain brain health as we age

You may know that our bodies synthesize Vitamin D through exposure to the UVB rays that sunlight provides. Experts tell us that as little as 10 – 20 minutes of sun exposure each day, will provide enough Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays for our bodies to produce about 10,000 international units (IUs) of the vitamin–more that enough for the average person. This advice would suggest that active adults who spend time outside for even a short time each day should have “normal” blood serum levels of Vitamin D. However, I can tell you almost every patient that I treat in our science based nutrition program has a Vitamin D Deficiency.

So why are so many people Vitamin D deficient?

There are several reasons. The 10 to 20 minute a day recommendation is based upon the sun received by a light skinned person wearing a tank top and shorts. Darker skinned people don’t produce as much Vitamin D, therefore they will need more sun exposure. Also, as we age, it often becomes more difficult for the body to fully convert the sunlight we receive into this essential vitamin. To protect against wrinkling and the skin-damaging effects of the sun, many of us have turned to sunscreens. Most sunscreens block the sunlight needed for the vitamin conversion. And finally, where we live is another factor. In the winter, residents of Northern States won’t be able to get the vitamin D they need through sun exposure, since the sun doesn’t rise high enough in the sky for the UVB rays to penetrate the earth’s atmos-phere.

Ways to overcome a Vitamin D deficiency

If you wanted to get more vitamin C, you could walk into any supermarket and grab an orange. By gobbling up just one of these tasty citrus fruits, you’d receive 100% of the recommended RDA. But it’s difficult to obtain vitamin D from foods, since few foods contain it naturally. Both salmon and mackerel contain vitamin D, as does fish liver oil. Vitamin D is also found in beef; liver, egg yolks and cheese. However many Americans simply don’t eat enough of these items to insure adequate Vitamin D intake.

A word of advice when choosing a Vitamin D supplement

Scientific studies suggest that Vitamin D3 supplementation is more effective than Vita-min D2. The quality of the vitamin also makes a difference. That why we only stock pharmaceutical grade supplements which are available exclusively to professional health care practitioners.

Recommended dosages

We stock Vitamin D in two difference strengths, 5000 IU and 10,000 IU. We recommend the higher dosage for those patients with extremely low blood levels of Vitamin D, while 5000 IU is an excellent daily maintenance dose for most patients. If you’re unsure of your Vitamin D levels and would like to make sure you’re receiving all the cancer protection and immune enhancing benefits possible from this amazing vitamin, give a us call. Our simple and affordable blood test will determine if you would benefit from a Vitamin D supplement. While you’re at it, ask us how we can help you feel your best with our Science Based Nutrition Programs.

Return to our home page to learn more ways our Garland Chiropractic office can help you live a healthy and pain-free life.

Patient Testimonials

Back Surgery Averted

“My surgery was scheduled and I was just waiting… My husband went to Dr. Mixon and asked if I would just go talk to him first (before surgery). The rest is history. Dr. Mixon started me on Spinal Decompression and within a month of treatment onset, I felt amazing. I canceled my surgery and now I am on maintenance treatment once a month.Linda B. –Garland, TX

Comfortable Pregnancy

“Dr. Mixon, I cannot thank you enough fort the relief you provided me. When I walked into your office eight months pregnant, I was resigned to suffering with several more weeks of back pain. I just needed some relief! I felt better after the first adjustment and much to my amazement, the second adjustment provided me with 100% relief! Thanks.Lisa P. –Dallas, TX

Disc Pain Gone

“ I highly recommend Dr. Mixon. He has done wonders for me. I had numbness and tingling in my arm as a result of a bugling disc in my neck. After a couple of months of treatment, it feels 100% better. In addition, He and his entire staff are awesome!Afton M. –Garland, TX